Sitcom actress with Shelby ties lands role in inspirational movie

Published: Monday, April 8, 2013 at 10:17 AM.

Dorian Brown faces the same struggles as any new mother. Her 20-month-old son, Cayman, recently started day care.

The difference is that Brown lives in Los Angeles, and more than 1 million people see her every Thursday night in episodes of “Wilfred” on FX. She plays Kristen Newman, sister of Ryan Newman. Ryan is the only one on the show who sees the neighbor’s dog as a man in a dog suit.

Brown is a Charlotte native whose parents, Nancy and Duran Brown are from Shelby. She is currently working on the show’s third season, and said the cast is like a family.

The sitcom films from March to June and that frees her up to spend time with her husband, Guy Pham, a movie producer, and her son. The time off also allows her to audition for movies, which is how she landed the role of Emma Hartgrove in “Homerun.”

“This is my first big role in a film,” Brown said. “My character in Wilfred is the complete opposite of Emma.”

Emma Hartgrove is devoted to her son, and has buried years of heartache and disappointment to protect him. She is the assistant coach for her son’s little league team. Her life is turned upside down when professional baseball player Cory Brand is forced to come back to his hometown. An alcoholic, Cory has been suspended from the team and must attend a 12-step program, and the only program in the little town is Celebrate Recovery at a local church. Cory’s character is played by Scott Elrod, who was recently in “Argo” with Ben Affleck.

“This movie tells the story of what happens to one person, who is caught up in a habit, a hurt, and a hang-up,” Brown said. “It shows how it affects the people around him. And shows how a program like Celebrate Recovery, a community really, can support that person and their family.”

Dorian Brown faces the same struggles as any new mother. Her 20-month-old son, Cayman, recently started day care.

The difference is that Brown lives in Los Angeles, and more than 1 million people see her every Thursday night in episodes of “Wilfred” on FX. She plays Kristen Newman, sister of Ryan Newman. Ryan is the only one on the show who sees the neighbor’s dog as a man in a dog suit.

Brown is a Charlotte native whose parents, Nancy and Duran Brown are from Shelby. She is currently working on the show’s third season, and said the cast is like a family.

The sitcom films from March to June and that frees her up to spend time with her husband, Guy Pham, a movie producer, and her son. The time off also allows her to audition for movies, which is how she landed the role of Emma Hartgrove in “Homerun.”

“This is my first big role in a film,” Brown said. “My character in Wilfred is the complete opposite of Emma.”

Emma Hartgrove is devoted to her son, and has buried years of heartache and disappointment to protect him. She is the assistant coach for her son’s little league team. Her life is turned upside down when professional baseball player Cory Brand is forced to come back to his hometown. An alcoholic, Cory has been suspended from the team and must attend a 12-step program, and the only program in the little town is Celebrate Recovery at a local church. Cory’s character is played by Scott Elrod, who was recently in “Argo” with Ben Affleck.

“This movie tells the story of what happens to one person, who is caught up in a habit, a hurt, and a hang-up,” Brown said. “It shows how it affects the people around him. And shows how a program like Celebrate Recovery, a community really, can support that person and their family.”

“Homerun” was filmed in Tulsa and Okmulgee, Okla., Brown said.

“We took the whole family and stayed in Oklahoma,” she said. “It was a nice experience. We met a lot of Celebrate Recovery people in Oklahoma – they were extras and did a really good job. They have been supportive of the film.”

Brown, who attends a small church in Los Angeles, had heard about Celebrate Recovery but didn’t know anyone who had been through the program.

“I looked at it as a 12-step program with God,” she said. “I met so many people on the set and it’s changed their lives. They help each other. We met John Baker, the founder. He and his wife are passionate and supportive.”

Brown said everyone can relate to one of the characters in the film.

“These characters are real, and they live in all of us,” she said. “More importantly, the film’s message is truly about hope. Everyone has a hurt, habit or hang-up ... big and small.”

Brown shared her excitement about the film with a childhood friend in Shelby, Katie Harris, who now works as missions team leader of the Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association. She invited her to preview the movie and get involved in promoting it in Shelby. Because the message is powerful, the staff of the Greater Cleveland County Baptist has committed to pre-selling 1,000 tickets by opening weekend, April 19.

“I think this movie has a great story of hope and redemption for everyone,” said Harris. “Though the movie focuses on alcoholism, the entire story is about God’s redeeming love for us. It shows that no matter what we are going through or what we have done, God will forgive us and help us change our life.”

WANT TICKETS?

“Homerun,” a movie with a Christian theme, opens April 19 at Carmike Cinema at Cleveland Mall.

The Greater Cleveland County Baptist Association, 1175 Wyke Road, Shelby, is pre-selling tickets for $10 each, and donations will also be accepted to purchase tickets for those who cannot afford them.

The pre-sell tickets will be for opening weekend (April 19-21). The ticket vouchers will be exchanged for real movie tickets after they become available. Showtimes are Friday: 4, 7 and 9:45 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday: 1:10, 4, 7 and 9:45 p.m.

SNEAK PREVIEW

See the movie trailer at www.homerunthemovie.com. For more information about purchasing ticket vouchers, email Katie Harris at katie@gccba.org or call 704-482-3472.